[title of show]

The best thing about a musical that parodies musicals, is that it parodies musicals. And that’s what this off-Broadway musical, masquerading as a Broadway musical does brilliantly.

[title of show] presented by fledging Brisbane based company Understudy Productions, is an hilarious musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical.

The story follows the two lead characters, Jeff and Hunter (with help from friends Susan and Heidi), as they try to meet a three week deadline and create a new musical to submit for the New York Musical Theatre Festival; and then on to its eventual opening night on Broadway. 

[title of show] is filled with plenty of musical theatre references and in-jokes that will appeal to musical theatre fanatics, with unintentional (or intentional) nods to similar “show biz” offerings such as A Chorus Line, 42nd Street and Merrily We Roll Along.

This production is expertly handled by visiting British director Ian Good who makes his cast work hard and fast as they deliver this hilarious one act musical.

From start to finish, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments in the show all expertly delivered by the multitalented cast of Jackson McGovern, Lauren McKenna, Aurélie Roque and Alexander Woodward. 

You won’t see a funnier, harder working cast than these four performers and it is impossible to single out any one of them as the star of the show, because they all gel so perfectly and bring such a wonderful frenetic energy to this ensemble piece. 

The very simple set and costume elements used were all that was necessary for this intimate production, although they were somewhat overwhelmed in the cavernous performance space.

Joel Curtis’ musical direction is flawless, and the four part harmonies of the cast is superb, their voices blending seamlessly. The songs are catchy, melodic and very much in the moment, and whilst they may not be truly memorable they do in legitimate musical theatre style drive the narrative forward. 

If you don’t like musicals, you probably won’t like [title of show], but if you do like musicals you will absolutely LOVE [title of show].

Paul Dellit OAM